Device for supplying a plurality of service points, such as lubricating points

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for supplying a plurality of service points, such as lubricating points, with a lubricant or similar viscous pumping media by means of a central pump ( 1 ). The inventive device comprises a dual line distributor ( 2 ) provided with a compression chamber ( 3 ); a connection block ( 4 ) which is associated with the dual line distributor ( 2 ) and contains, for example, a 3/2-way valve ( 4 ); a supply line ( 5 ) connecting the pump ( 1 ) to the connection block ( 4 ); a feedback line ( 6 ) which branches off the supply line ( 5 ) in the direction of a pumping medium supply, such as a lubricant supply ( 7 ) of the pump ( 1 ); for example, a 2/2-way valve ( 8 ) arranged in the feedback line ( 6 ); and defined means for the control system.

[0001] The invention relates to a device for supplying several lubrication sites or other servicing sites, such as lubrication sites, with lubricant or the like viscous delivery media by means of a central pump.

[0002] For the supply of several machine or lubrication site groups via a central pumping station with a viscous delivery medium, such as lubricant, either two-line systems or ejector section installations are conventionally employed. The distances between the machines and lubrication site groups are bridged by lines of differing dimensions. In the case of two-line installations for lubricant, two main lines and additional shut-off valves in front of lubricant distributors are required. In the case of ejector section installations for lubricants, an additional air drive line to the individual ejectors is required in addition to the lubricant supply line, which [air line] meters the delivery medium, such as the lubricant, volumetrically. In addition, for each ejector a control and maintenance unit is necessary.

[0003] The present invention addresses the problem of proposing a delivery medium, in particular a lubricant supply device of the above described type, which is simpler of construction and operation and operates functionally reliably.

[0004] This task is solved, for example, thereby that the device is equipped with a two-line distributor with compression chamber, a connection block assigned to the two-line distributor and containing, for example, a 3/2-way valve, a supply line connecting the pump with the connection block, a return line, branching off the supply line, to a delivery media reservoir, such as lubricant reservoir of the pump, a 2/2-way valve in the return line as well as with means for control, such that

[0005] at the start of a cycle the pump starts to deliver,

[0006] simultaneously the 2/2-way valve in the return line is closed,

[0007] while the 3/2-way valve opens a passage from the supply line to a first main line,

[0008] through the pressure build-up in the first main line the two-line distributor operates; delivery medium, such as lubricant, is transported by a control piston of a delivery medium distributor, in particular lubricant distributor, into the compression chamber of a second main line, as well as 50% of the servicing sites, such as lubrication sites, are supplied with delivery medium, such as lubricant,

[0009] the pump changes into the resting position,

[0010] the 2/2-way valve is opened and thereby the supply line and the first main line are relieved from pressure,

[0011] optionally, after the passage of a resting time, the pump starts to deliver again,

[0012] the 2/2-way valve in the return line is closed again,

[0013] the 3/2-way valve switches from the supply line to the second main line,

[0014] due to the pressure build-up in the second main line, the two-line distributor starts operating in the opposite direction as previously, delivery medium, such as lubricant, is transported by the control piston of the delivery medium distributor, in particular lubricant distributor, into the compression chamber of the first main line, as well as the second 50% of the servicing sites, such as lubrication sites, are supplied,

[0015] the pump changes to its starting resting position,

[0016] the 2/2-way valve opens and thereby the supply line and the second main line are again relieved from pressure,

[0017] so that the next work cycle can start as before.

[0018] For reliable functional operation the pump can have associated with it a pressure switch, which, when a specified pressure in the supply line is reached, switches the pump into the resting position until—for example, after passage of a resting time—it starts delivering again.

[0019] For the control of the operational function of the device of the invention the delivery piston of the two-line distributor can be provided with two control pins, which cooperate for example with proximity switches.

[0020] For the extension of the device, it is also possible to have at least one further two-line distributor succeed the two-line distributor connected in series via the main lines.

[0021] Additional characteristics, advantages and application feasibilities of the invention are evident on the basis of the succeeding description of embodiment examples of the invention in conjunction with the drawing. All described and/or graphically represented characteristics by themselves or in any combination form the subject matter of the invention, independently of their combination in individual claims or their reference back.

[0022] The sole FIGURE illustrates schematically a lubricant servicing device including the invention.

[0023] This device is structured as follows:

[0024] A pump 1 driven by a motor 9 is connected across a supply line 5 of, for example, several meters, to a connection C of a connection block comprising a 3/2-way valve 4 of a two-line distributor 2. The 3/2-way valve 4 of the connection block is set such that two main lines A, B supply a two-line distributor 2, for example via several meters of line.

[0025] From the supply line 5 a return line 6 branches off in the proximity of the pump 1, which is equipped with a 2/2-way valve 8 and terminates in a lubricant reservoir 7 of pump 1. In the supply line 5, or the return line 6, a (not shown) pressure switch is installed in the vicinity of pump 1.

[0026] At the start the installation is relieved from pressure since the 2/2-way valve 8 at the pump 12 is open flow-free. The 3/2-way valve 4 in the connection block of the two-line distributor 2 has flow-free passage from the supply line 5 and the connection C to the main line B. After the passage of a resting time, the pump 1 starts delivering. The 2/2-way valve 8 on pump 1 is simultaneously closed and the 3/2-way valve 4 on the two-line distributor 2 is switched from the supply line 5 to main line A. Due to the pressure build-up in the supply line 5 and the main line A, the two-line distributor 2 is operational, the drive lubricant herein is transported into a compression zone of the main line B and 50% of the lubrication sites connected to the two-line distributor 2 are supplied with lubricant.

[0027] With sufficient pressure build-up the pressure switch on pump 1 is activated and the pump 1 switches into the resting position. Thereupon the 2/2-way valve 8 in the return line 6 is opened, such that the main line A and the supply line 5 are relieved from pressure.

[0028] After the renewed passage of a rest time pump 1 starts to deliver again. The 2/2-way valve 8 on pump 1 closes, the 3/2-way valve 4 on the two-line distributor 2 switches from the supply line 5 to the main line B. Due to the pressure build-up in the supply line 5 and the main line B, the two-line distributor 2 now operates in the direction opposite to the one before: the drive lubricant arrives herein in the compression chamber of the main line A and the second 50% of the lubrication sites connected to the two-line distributor are supplied.

[0029] With adequate pressure build-up the pressure switch on pump 1 is again activated, pump 1 is switched into the resting position, the 2/2-way valve 2 on pump 2 is opened and the main line B with the supply line 5 is relieved of pressure, such that a new operating cycle can start.

[0030] The, not shown, delivery piston of the two-line distributor 2 is provided, for example, with two control pins, which can be monitored with proximity switches. It is also possible to insert, following the first two-line distributor 2, a second (and further) two-line distributor 2′, connected in series via main lines A, B. The advantage of the device according to the invention compared to conventional two-line installations comprises in particular the omission of a second supply line. Compared to ejector installations, a complete control line (compressed air line) with maintenance unit is saved. The consumption of drive medium is omitted. Operation can take place with higher pressures and various metering feasibilities are possible.

[0031] In all cases mounting of the device according to the invention is simple, the cost in terms of material and mounting is low, proven standard components can be utilized for its construction.

[0032] The inventive concept is not only restricted to the supply of lubrication sites; it can equally well be applied to other viscous materials (and not only lubricants) and other servicing sites (and not only lubrication sites).

List of Reference Symbols

[0033]1 Pump

[0034]2,2′ Two-line distributor

[0035]3 Compression chamber

[0036]4 3/2-way valve

[0037]5 Supply line

[0038]6 Return line

[0039]7 Lubricant reservoir

[0040]8 2/2-way valve

[0041]9 Motor

[0042] A First main line

[0043] B Second main line

[0044] C Connection 

1. Device for supplying several servicing sites, such as lubrication sites, with lubricant or the like viscous delivery media by means of a central pump (1) and with a two-line distributor (2) with compression chamber (3), a connection block (4) containing, for example a 3/2-way valve (4) associated with the two-line distributor (2), a supply line (5) connecting the pump (1) with the connection block (4), a return line (6) branching from the supply line (5) to a delivery medium reservoir, such as lubricant reservoir (7), of the pump (1), for example a 2/2-way valve (8) in the return line (6), as well as with means for control, such that at the start of a cycle the pump (1) starts to deliver, simultaneously the 2/2-way valve (8) in the return line (6) is closed, while the 3/2-way valve (4) opens a passage from the supply line (5) to a first main line (A), through the pressure build-up in the first main line (A) the two-line distributor (2) operates, delivery medium, such a lubricant, is transported by a control piston of a delivery medium distributor, in particular lubricant distributor, into the compression chamber (3) of a second main line (B) as well as 50% of the servicing sites, such as lubrication sites, are supplied with delivery medium, such as lubricant, the pump (1) changes into the resting position, the 2/2-way valve (8) is opened and thereby the supply line (5) and the first main line (A) are relieved from pressure, optionally, after the passage of a resting time, the pump (1) starts to deliver again, the 2/2-way valve (8) in the return line is closed again, the 3/2-way valve (4) switches from the supply line (5) to the second main line (B), due to the pressure build-up in the second main line (B), the two-line distributor (2) starts operating in the opposite direction as previously, delivery medium, such as lubricant, is transported by the control piston of the delivery medium distributor, in particular lubricant distributor, into the compression chamber (3) of the first main line (A), as well as the second 50% of the servicing sites, such as lubrication sites, are supplied, the pump (1) changes to its starting resting position, the 2/2-way valve (8) opens and thereby the supply line (5) and the second main line (B) are again relieved from pressure, so that the next work cycle can start as before.
 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that associated with the pump (1) is a pressure switch, which switches the pump (1) into the resting position when a specified pressure in the supply line (5) is reached.
 3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the delivery piston of the two-line distributor (2) is provided with at least one control pin, which cooperates for example with a proximity switch.
 4. Device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3 claim 1, characterized in that the two-line distributor (2) is succeeded by at least one further two-line distributor (2′)/connected in series via the main lines (A, B).
 5. Device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the delivery piston of the two-line distributor (2) is provided with at least one control pin, which cooperates for example with a proximity switch.
 6. Device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the two-line distributor (2) is succeeded by at least one further two-line distributor (2′)/connected in series via the main lines (A, B).
 7. Device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the two-line distributor (2) is succeeded by at least one further two-line distributor (2′)/connected in series via the main lines (A, B). 